Author: KIFI

Par Kermani

ASHTON, Idaho (KIFI) — Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative is partnering on a new power generation project in northern Idaho aimed at helping keep electricity reliable and affordable for customers across eastern Idaho and southwestern Montana.

The project, being developed through PNGC Power, will use natural gas technology that officials say will be among the most efficient and lowest-emitting power plants in the region. The plant is also expected to have the ability to blend hydrogen into its fuel supply in the future as the technology and infrastructure become available.

According to Fall River Electric, the project is part of the cooperative’s long-term plan to meet growing energy demand and strengthen the region’s electric grid.

Officials say recent storms, extreme temperatures, reduced hydropower and increasing demand for electricity have highlighted the need for additional dependable power sources.

“The hydropower capacity of the Northwest has been fully allocated so there is not plenty of hydropower left to meet growing electricity demand,” Fall River Electric CEO and General Manager Bryan Case said. “Our members need power they can count on at prices they can afford.”

PNGC Power CEO Jessica Matlock said the project is intended to help communities to have reliable and affordable electricity.

“Our member cooperatives serve families, farms, businesses, and small towns across the Northwest.” said Jessica Matlock, Chief Executive Officer of PNGC Power. “This project is part of helping ensure those communities continue to have reliable and affordable electricity in the years ahead.”

Fall River Electric is a nonprofit, member-owned utility serving more than 16,000 customers across eastern Idaho, southwest Montana and western Wyoming.

For more information about Fall River Electric and the project, visit Fall River Electric’s website

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Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — If you walked outside this morning, you would have instantly noticed the smoke inversion blanketing most of the city. The Idaho Falls Fire Department is issuing a reminder to prepare for wildfire season and to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

According to officials with the fire department, wildfire smoke can impact communities hundreds of miles away, an effect that was visibly noticeable Monday.

While eastern Idaho has not seen the same level of wildfire activity as other parts of the state, officials say smoke from fires burning elsewhere can still impact local air quality, depending on weather and wind conditions.

The department encourages residents to monitor air quality reports and limit prolonged outdoor activity when smoke levels are high, especially children, older adults and people with asthma, heart disease or other respiratory conditions.

Officials also recommend keeping windows and doors closed when air quality is poor, using the recirculate setting on home and vehicle air conditioning systems when possible, and avoiding activities that can increase indoor air pollution, such as burning candles, using fireplaces or vacuuming.

The department is also encouraging families to prepare in case a wildfire threatens their community. Officials recommend identifying at least two evacuation routes, choosing a meeting place for family members, keeping emergency contact information readily available and preparing an emergency kit with at least three days of food, water, medications and other essential supplies.

The Idaho Falls Fire Department is also recognizing firefighters and emergency personnel responding to large wildfires across the region. Through mutual aid agreements, Idaho Falls firefighters can be deployed to assist other communities when additional resources are needed.

“When wildfires grow beyond the capacity of one community, firefighters from across the region answer the call,” Deputy Chief Paul Radford said. “We’re proud to be part of a fire service that supports one another when communities are threatened.”

Officials also remind residents to help prevent human-caused wildfires by following local fire restrictions, properly disposing of smoking materials, avoiding parking on dry vegetation and using caution with equipment that may produce sparks.

More information on wildfires, evacuation notices, and fire restrictions inlcuding air quality information can be found on the following websites. The Idaho Department of Lands, The Idaho Department of Enviromental Quality and AirNow.

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Maile Sipraseuth

GRAND TARGHEE, Wyo. (KIFI) — Artists from across the country hopped on the Dreamcatcher lift at Grand Targhee Resort to paint open mountain skies this week as part of the 15th Annual Driggs Plein Air Festival.

“Plein air” is derived from the French phrase for “painting in the open air.” The festival brought artists together at the top of Grand Targhee Resort for a special “paint out” event, using the iconic Teton Range as their inspiration.

“We have such an iconic landscape, and so many people come here for the natural beauty of this place,” Events and Outreach Manager for the Downtown Driggs Association, Teddy Nichols, said.

For many painters, the trip to Wyoming offered a completely new perspective. First-time visitor Cody Ling traveled all the way from Montana to capture the scenery.

“It’s pretty dramatic, a really stunning scene,” Ling said. “You can’t quite capture this type of scenery the way you would other places.”

Chrissy Pahucki, a high school art teacher from Upstate New York, returned for her second year at the festival.

“It’s really inspiring,” Pahucki said. “Just seeing the shape of the Tetons is stunning. But the colors, the way that the weather moves, and the way that the light is different than out East. It’s incredible.”

Pahucki also shared the landscape with her former student, Katie Palau, who is now in art school.

“You gotta go up the ski lift with all your stuff and set up everything. Things fall and things break,” Palau said. “You have to have a lot of patience to then have fun and enjoy yourself.”

Palau’s friend, Sawyer Heard, a beginner painter from Florida, was immediately taken aback by the Teton landscape.

“It’s really exciting to learn something new. I mean, everyone starts somewhere, and what a privilege to be starting here at the Tetons,” Heard said.

While many traveled across the country, local artists also seized the opportunity to paint in their backyard. Mark Alldredge, an artist from Rexburg, appreciated connecting with other painters.

“Keep painting. I love seeing the variety of styles and it’s wonderful to see. It’s wonderful to see so many artists coming together to paint,” Allderidge said.

For more information on the Plein Air Festival, click here.

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Curtis Jackson

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—The War Bonnet Roundup Rodeo is set to showcase some of the best matchups of professional rodeo this week.

Described as Idaho’s oldest professional rodeo, the event is scheduled to take place Wednesday through Saturday.

Rodeo announcer and professional roper, Zach Ekstrom, said attendees can expect top-level compeition, including past world champions and NFR champions.

Ekstrom stopped by the Local News 8 studios Monday afternoon along with his horse Blue. He said some of the best bucking horses and bulls will be used at the rodeo.

“We bring the absolute best bucking stock because like you just said, that’s half of it,” Ekstrom said. “And so you have to have the best cowboys, but you also have to have the best animal athletes to be able to get those big time scores.”

The War Bonnet Roundup begins on Wednesday, July 29, with the Wild West Family Fest. The event is free and begins at 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sandy Downs. The event includes a KidZone, MuttonBustin, Food Trucks, Breakaway riding and more.

Watch Local News 8’s Megan Lavin rope Jeff Roper during Monday’s broadcast in the clip above.

Rodeo events begin Thursday, July 30 and goes through Saturday, August 1. For ticket information, click here.

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KIVI Staff

By: KIVI Staff

PAYETTE COUNTY, Idaho — Monday marks five years since Michael “Monkey” Vaughan disappeared from his Fruitland neighborhood, a case that drew national attention and remains one of Idaho’s most high-profile missing child investigations.

Michael was 5 years old when he vanished on July 27, 2021, after leaving his family’s home to play outside. Despite years of searches, thousands of investigative leads and multiple court proceedings, his body has never been found.

His disappearance prompted an extensive search involving local, state and federal law enforcement. In 2022, investigators excavated the backyard of a Fruitland home after saying they had received a credible tip, but the search did not uncover Michael’s remains.

The case took a major turn in late 2025 when Stacey Wondra was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and destruction of evidence in connection with Michael’s disappearance. Wondra has pleaded not guilty. Earlier this year, a judge ruled there was enough evidence for the case to move forward to trial, which is expected to begin later this year in Canyon County.

On Monday, Michael’s mother, Brandi Vaughan, stood on the steps of the Fruitland Police Department and reflected on five years without her son while renewing her family’s plea for answers. She thanked supporters who have stood by the family throughout the investigation and urged anyone with information to come forward.

“We will never stop speaking his name until we bring our baby home,” Vaughan said. “We love you, Michael.”

A community birthday vigil planned for Monday evening was postponed because of poor air quality from wildfire smoke. Vaughan said the event will be rescheduled once air quality improves.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Bryan Kohberger, the man serving a life sentence for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students, is now pushing to withdraw his guilty plea and reopen the case.

In an interview and exclusive statement provided to The New York Times, 31-year-old Kohberger maintained his innocence, saying the guilty plea “hinged on false promises and blatant disinformation” and “must be withdrawn.”

“I hereby declare my intention to enter a not guilty plea, and welcome to the state the opportunity to prove their case at trial, as well as to, again, file the death penalty,” wrote Kohberger. “My actual innocence is my truth…”

Kohberger was charged in the November 2022 early-morning home invasion that claimed the lives of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. The brutal killings in Moscow, Idaho, sent shockwaves through the small college town and captured national attention.

At the time of the killings, Kohberger was pursuing a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, located just a short drive from Moscow. Authorities arrested Kohberger over a month after the murders, on December 30, 2022, in his home state of Pennsylvania.

In June 2025, Kohberger pleaded guilty in a bid to avoid the death penalty.

His statement to the Times comes less than a year after reports detailed his difficult transition to prison life. In August 2025, just one day after arriving at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, Kohberger petitioned the Idaho Department of Correction for a transfer, claiming harassment by fellow inmates.

The high-profile prosecution has already carried a steep price tag. According to reports by the Idaho Statesman, the case has cost taxpayers over $8 million, with nearly $5.5 million spent on Kohberger’s public defense team.

Attorney General Raúl Labrador Responds

Following Kohberger’s petition for post-conviction relief, Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador issued a statement addressing the developments.

“My heart goes out to the families of Madison, Kaylee, Xana, and Ethan, who have already endured unimaginable loss and now must face today’s deeply painful news,” Labrador said. “My office stands ready to do whatever is necessary to ensure justice is fully carried out.”

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Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – With wildfire season well underway, smoke is spreading across the country causing more problems for those living with asthma.

Asthma is a chronic illness that causes your airways to swell, narrow and fill with mucus. Making it harder to breathe or cause other symptoms, like chest tightness, cough and wheezing. Common triggers for asthma are things like allergens, pollen, and smoke.

At the Asthma Clinic of Idaho, Dr. David Petty says this year’s combination of smoke, dust, wind and seasonal allergies has created the perfect storm for respiratory problems.

“We’ve had all these high winds. We have all the dust and dirt blowing around. Plus the, you know, the nation’s on fire with forest fires,” Dr. Petty said. “So between the smoke, the dust, the wind blowing around and it being allergy season, asthma has been, you know, literally on fire.”

Regardless of if you experience Asthma or not, inhaling smoke can be very dangerous.

“Obviously we don’t want to have, you know, smoke in our lungs,” Dr. Petty said. “A little bit here and there, you can probably cough it away. But significant exposure can really do bad damage. And so when you have that big fire that’s really close, you really have to be careful with that and try to stay inside.”

He also recommends keeping windows closed and using air conditioning to cool your home instead of letting smokey air inside. While driving, he says switching your vehicle’s ventilation system to the recirculate setting can also help reduce exposure to outdoor smoke.

Data from the American Lung Association found that over 10% of the adult population in Idaho and Wyoming are currently suffering from this chronic illness.

Doctors encourage patients to stay on top of their prescribed medications, even if their symptoms seem manageable.

“We’re in the middle of a bad season like this with a forest fire like this. We need to make sure that we’re taking our medicines as prescribed,” Dr. Petty said. “And sometimes, even if you’re taking things as prescribed, if you’re needing to use your rescue inhaler too often, you might also need to go check in with your doctor because, hey, maybe you need something stronger for this season.”

If you or someone you know is struggling to breathe or noticing asthma symptoms becoming more frequent, doctors recommend contacting a healthcare provider to discuss whether additional treatment or medication adjustments are needed.

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Curtis Jackson

UPDATE July 29, 2026: AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—The City of American Falls said testing has confirmed that the tap water is now safe to use.

A boil order was lifted around 11 a.m. Wednesday, when test results showed no contaminants were found in the water.

The boil order was issued Monday when communication with the water system was lost and the water pressure fell below safety levels.

Crews worked to flush the system and tested the water to make sure the water was safe.

ORIGINAL STORY

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)—The City of American Falls has issued a water boil notice on Monday morning.

The order comes after water pressure fell below the minimum safe level. The loss of water can increase the risk of contaminants entering the water system. They said the cause was a loss of communication with the city’s water system.

The advice people to boil water for at least one minute before using it. Bottled water may be used as an alternative.

City crews are working to stabilize the water pressure and flushing the water system.

The boil order will remain in effect until testing shows the water is safe.

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Danielle Mullenix

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Drivers in Idaho Falls should prepare for lane closures beginning Monday, July 27th as the City of Idaho Falls and the Idaho Transportation Department launch a project to improve street lighting and sidewalks along two of the city’s busiest roadways.

The project will span the rest of the summer, starting Monday, July 27, and includes work along the U.S. 26 Business Loop (Yellowstone Highway) from Sunnyside Road to the Yellowstone Underpass, as well as Broadway Street from the intersection with U.S. 26 to the Broadway Bridge.

Construction crews will install new streetlight poles, luminaires, underground electrical utilities, and foundations. Sidewalk improvements are also planned as part of the project.

Motorists can expect single-lane closures or traffic shifts where work is taking place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some work also scheduled on Saturdays. Crews will perform nighttime work when erecting and installing the new streetlight poles.

City officials say the lighting upgrades are designed to improve safety for both drivers and pedestrians while enhancing visibility along the corridor. The project is the result of a partnership between the City of Idaho Falls and the Idaho Transportation Department.

Construction is expected to continue through late October. A nearby road work delay, the installation of the Birch St & S Blvd Roundabout, is also causing drivers near downtown to make alternate routes until the fall. To see an interactive app of Idaho Falls road work and construction updates, click here.

Officials are asking drivers to slow down, remain alert in work zones, and watch for changing traffic patterns throughout the project.

For the latest traffic updates and road conditions in Eastern Idaho, drivers can check the Idaho 511 app or visit the Idaho 511 official website here.

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Seth Ratliff

ABERDEEN, Idaho (KIFI) — Wildland fire crews are actively battling the fast-moving Gaston Fire, which exploded to an estimated 700 acres overnight in eastern Idaho.

The fire was first detected around 8:42 p.m. Saturday via satellite hotspots on NOAA’s Wildland Fire Data Portal. It is burning approximately seven miles southwest of Coffee Point and 12 miles northwest of Aberdeen.

As of midnight, the fire remains active in high-grass and brush, according to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS). Firefighting efforts have been hindered by gusty winds and rugged terrain.

Firefighters from the USWFS Great Basin Unit 3 (East Idaho/Idaho Falls) are on scene alongside multiple partner agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service (Caribou-Targhee National Forest) and Aberdeen Fire Department. Both ground and overhead personnel are actively on the scene.

Fire crews currently estimate full containment by 10 p.m. Sunday. A timeline for full control of the fire remains unknown.

Wildland Fire Crews emphasize that public and firefighter safety is their top priority, urging people to stay clear of the area to allow crews room to work. Authorities also issued a strong warning against operating personal drones in the area.

“IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T. Remember that if you fly a drone over a fire, critical operations get suspended,” states the post.

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